Okajima joins A's bullpen

Hideki Okajima, an effective left-handed reliever for more than four seasons with the Red Sox, is now up with the A's after five strong weeks with Triple-A Sacramento.

Okajima, known for his unusual delivery - he appears to be looking down or away instead of at the plate - had a poor spring, putting up a 5.79 ERA, but because he'd signed a minor-league deal, the A's were able to send him to Sacramento. He had an out clause in his contract if he wasn't promoted by June 1, but considering how well he'd been pitching, that didn't come into play. He had a 2.16 ERA with the River Cats and, more important, had 18 strikeouts and only two walks in 16 2/3 innings.

"I was able to polish up my pitches at Sacramento," Okajima said through interpreter Jason Eda. "My changeup was good, and I worked on my cutter."

Luke Montz, who caught Okajima most of the first month of the season, said the A's had asked him when he came up who was pitching well and he had raved about Okajima.

"He was lights out," Montz said. "He was closing games out and striking out all three batters. Guys couldn't touch his changeup. Good hitters would come up to me later and say, 'What was that?' "

Okajima, an All-Star in 2007, primarily will be used as a left-handed specialist, helping reduce some of the demands on Jerry Blevins.

Right-handed reliever Chris Resop was designated for assignment to make room for Okajima. Resop allowed 12 runs in his past 12 games, and opponents were batting .293 against him.

Better injury news? Outfielder Chris Young is expected to come off the disabled list Saturday. He had some lower-leg cramping at Sacramento on Thursday, delaying his return a day.

Outfielder Josh Reddick said he has been taking dry swings - not hitting anything - and his injured right wrist had no discomfort. He is hopeful he will avoid surgery.

"No issues," he said. "It's wait-and-see right now. We don't have a set plan."

Catcher JohnJaso, who didn't play Friday, was still sore from being hit on the right shin by a pitch Wednesday.